On October 16, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership will be hosting its first annual bicycle tour in Loudoun County — the 2010 Fall Bike Classic — where riders can see up-close why this region is known as Where America Happened™.   Bring your bike, your family and your friends to enjoy this gorgeous bike tour!

Cyclists will be able to choose from three routes starting and finishing at Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA.  The routes include the Flexible Family Friendly route of 10 miles or less; or for the real enthusiast, a 35 or 50-mile route is available.  No matter which route you choose, each will put you at eye-level in one of the most scenic and historic regions in the nation, giving you a chance to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage, Loudoun farms, and the wonder of the historic towns which you’ll pass through.   Depending on which route you’d like to take, a few of these historic towns and villages you may pass through will include: Bluemont, Hillsboro, Lincoln, Middleburg, Philomont, Purcellville, and Round Hill. 

In addition, participants will enjoy a host of free activities thanks to 2010 Fall Bike Classic partners which include: Bluemont Vineyards, Great Country Farms, and Trail’s End Cycling Company.  And rest assured you cyclists and parents — there will be emergency services along the routes as well furnished pit stops with water, Gatorade and restrooms.

After you’ve finished your bike ride, enjoy the post-ride party that will include a free wine tasting, hayrides, fishing, corn mazes, moon bounce, feeding farm animals, three 60ft slides, rope swings, tractor-tire mountains, 18-Hole Cow Pie Putt-Putt, a paint-your-own-face station, and much more!

If you’re not familiar with Journey Through Hallowed Ground or the National Heritage Area — lets have a brief history lesson!  Journey Through Hallowed Ground is a non-profit organization that created this National Heritage Area and works everyday to create educational programs that engage students of all ages in the historic and scenic heritage of this region.  This region includes the homes of nine U.S. Presidents, 13 National Park units, hundreds of African American and Native American heritage sites, 30 Historic Main Street communities, sites from the Revolutionary War, French-Indian War, War of 1812 and the largest collection of Civil War sites in the nation. 

With 400 years of European, American and African-American heritage, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground is a National Heritage Area with a National Scenic Byway running through it.  From Gettysburg to Monticello, it’s known as the region Where America Happened™.  This region contains more history than any other region in the nation and includes: National and World Heritage sites, over 10,000 sites on the National Register of Historic Places and 49 National Heritage districts.  “We welcome cyclists and heritage lovers to this magnificent National Heritage Area to enjoy these irreplaceable towns, farms, and the marvelous people along the journey,” says Cate Magennis Wyatt, president of the Journey Through Hallowerd Ground Partnership.  “Cyclists will be traveling in the footsteps of this nation’s greatest leaders as well as in those of everyday-men and women who worked here, fought here, and died here over the past 400 years, so we can enjoy this special nation today.” 

Registration fees for the ride and the after celebration range between $35-$50 per person.  To register or for more information, goto www.hallowedground.org/bike .   Get out and enjoy your region!!

 …”So while pedaling over these hills and traveling through this most special National Heritage Area, we hope the riders will be inspired with the thoughts of those who tirelessly trod these same places carrying the hope of creating what we all now enjoy.”  Cate Magennis, president of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership.